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3. The Expansion of British Control:
o By the early 19th century, the British had established their control over most
of India through a mix of military conquests, alliances, and treaties. The
Doctrine of Lapse, introduced by Lord Dalhousie, allowed the British to annex
any princely state where the ruler died without a male heir, further
expanding their empire.
4. Economic Exploitation:
o The British exploited India's resources for their own economic gain. They
imposed heavy taxes on farmers, leading to widespread poverty and famine.
Indian industries, particularly textiles, suffered due to British policies that
favored imports of British goods. This economic exploitation created
widespread resentment among Indians.
The First War of Independence (1857)
5. The Revolt of 1857:
o The Revolt of 1857, also known as the First War of Independence, was a
major, though unsuccessful, uprising against British rule. It began as a mutiny
by Indian soldiers (sepoys) but soon spread to other parts of the country. The
revolt was fueled by various factors, including resentment over British
policies, economic exploitation, and cultural insensitivity, such as the use of
animal fat in cartridges that offended both Hindu and Muslim soldiers.
6. Significance of the 1857 Revolt:
o Although the revolt was crushed by the British, it marked the beginning of a
nationalistic consciousness among Indians. It showed that Indians were
capable of challenging British rule, even if the movement lacked unity and
coordination at that time. The British government, in response, dissolved the
East India Company and took direct control of India, marking the start of the
British Raj in 1858.
The Rise of Nationalism and the Indian National Congress (1885)
7. The Formation of the Indian National Congress:
o The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded in 1885 by a group of
educated Indians, including A.O. Hume, a retired British official. Initially, the
INC aimed to voice Indian grievances and seek reforms within the British rule.
The early phase of the INC was dominated by moderate leaders like Dadabhai
Naoroji and Gopal Krishna Gokhale, who believed in petitions and
negotiations with the British.
8. The Growth of Nationalism:
o The late 19th century saw the growth of Indian nationalism, fueled by the
economic exploitation, racial discrimination, and repressive policies of the
British. The partition of Bengal in 1905 by Lord Curzon was a turning point, as
it was seen as an attempt to divide and rule by creating religious divisions
between Hindus and Muslims. The strong opposition to the partition led to
the Swadeshi Movement, where Indians boycotted British goods and
promoted Indian-made products.